Consecutive-number-printing apparatus



July 30, 1946. N; KROUSE 2,404,912

CONSECUTIVE NUMBER-PRINTING APPARATUS Filed 001;. ll, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 30, 1946. KRQUSE 2,404,912

CONSECUTIVE NUMBER-PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 11, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Patented July 30, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CON SECUTIVE-NUMBER -PRINTING APPARATUS Claims. 1

This invention relates to printing and, more particularly, to the art of printing consecutive numbers or the like on a succession of paper sheets, or other impression-receiving materials, advanced through a press having a reciprocating type-holding bed and a rotary or oscillating impression-producing cylinder.

Hitherto, in printing consecutive numbers, for example, on paper sheets, as on various types of negotiable instruments, tickets and the like, it has been necessary, when reciprocating press bed-3 of the type indicated are employed, to first print the text matter on the sheets and thereafter, usually on another press, or as a separate operation, to print the numerals. These separate operations have been necessary in order to protect the sheets from receiving undesired ink impres sions from the exposed end of the depres'sible plunger used in effecting step by step turning of the numeral-bearing type wheels of the consecutive number printer.

Such a number printer, it will be understood, involves a casing in which is mounted the numeralebearing wheels, the latter engaging the paper sheets to be printed by projecting for a limited distance through an opening provided in the top wall of the casing. To turn the numeral wheels, the printer i provided with a springpressed plunger which, during the printing operation, is adapted to engage the cylinder or platen of a press so that the plunger will be moved a sufficient distance to produce the required step by step turning movement of the number-printlng type wheels. In a reciprocating press, the type i advanced under inking rolls before registration with the cylinder and, if used, the plunger of the number printer would contact the inking rolls; hence a film or deposit of such ink would be applied to the plunger which would be subsequently deposited on the paper sheets undergoing printing.

In accordance with the present invention, this condition is corrected or prevented by associating with the plunger of the number printer a movable frisket which is automatically actuated by the reciprocation f the type bed, whereby when the plunger is in registration with the inking roll or rolls of the press, the frisket is located to cover the upper end of the plunger in order to receive the ink impression from said roll or rolls and prevent it being applied to the plunger, and whereby when the bed is advanced to bring the type into impression-imparting engagement with. the paper sheets and the associated cylinder, the plunger will present an ink free surface which permits of its actuation by the pres cylinder without imparting an ink impression on the paper sheets.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide number-printing mechanism for printing presses of the reciprocating bed-oscillating cylinder type in which consecutive numbers may be applied to consecutive sheets passed therethrough simultaneously with the printing of text matter on the sheets.

It is another object of theinvention to provide a consecutive number printer for printing presses wherein the printer is provided with a depressible operating plunger and has combined therewith an automatically movable frisket adapted for operation n such manner as to prevent the exposed operating end of the plunger from receiving ink impressions from the inking rolls of the press.

For a further understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section, disclosing a press of the reciprocatmg bed-oscillating cylinder type provided with the numeral printer and frisket means forming the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the numeral printer, frisket and the actuating means therefor removed from the bed of the press;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal ectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2 disclosing the frisket and its actuating means and showing the frisket in its elevated position protecting the upper end of the actuating plunger of the numeral printer;

Fig. 4 is a similar view disclosing the frisket in its lowered position and removed from association with the plunger of the number printer so that the plunger may be actuated by the press cylinder;

Fig. 5 i a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 with the number printer omitted;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the frisket and its operating means;

Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic view showing the operating positions of the frisket at different stages during a single printing cycle.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral ID designates the top of the main frame of the printing press, on which the bed II that carries the chase or type form I2 i mounted for reciprocal movement. Carried as usual by the frame of the press, above the bed I l, is the oscillating impression cylinder 13. Also, carried by the frame If! for engagement with the ink-receiving surfaces of the type contained in the chase or form 12 is a, plurality of inking rolls I4 and the usual vibrator roll l5. Between the rolls i4 and I5 and the cylinder l3, the frame effects the support of one or more cross rods 16 on which is clamped the head blocks ll of a paper'feeding frame I 3. Paper is fed to the press between the frame !8 and the cylinder l3 and into impressionreceiving engagement with the type contained in the chase or form 42 as the latter i reciprocated forwardly.

Using a standard press of this kind, the present invention provides a consecutive number printing mechanism which operates simultaneously with each printing operation of the press. This mechanism comprises a standard consecutive number printer of the nature used in the printing industry. These printers each embody a casing I9 in which is rotatably supported on a common shaft a plurality of numeral-bearing wheels 20, which function after the manner of an odometer. The upper peripheral edges of the wheels project through an opening 2! in the top wall of the casing so that the numerals on said wheels may be brought into direct engagement with the inking rolls and the paper to be printed as the wheels areadvanced under the cylinder I3. Step by step turning movement of the wheels is effected by a vertically depressible spring actuated plunger 22, The upper or operating end of this plunger projects through the top of the casing is in order that it may be engaged by the cylinder [3 and depressed to mechanically turn the type wheels 20 to the required printing positions.

In accordance with the present invention, such astandard consecutive number printer is placed directly in the chase or form I2 in its pro-per position with relation to the text-printing type and locked in the chase with the type. Also, placed in the chase and locked therein adjacent to the number printer is an open-topped frisket housing 23. The vertical side walls of the housing 23 effect the pivotal support, as at 24, of a yokeshaped frisket 25. When the frisket is elevated, as shown in Fig. 3, the same is positioned over the upper end surface of the plunger 22 to prevent the plunger from contacting the ink rolls I4 during reciprocation of the bed II. However, it is necessary that the plunger, in order to actuate the number printer, must be brought into direct registering relationship with the cylinder l3 so that forces may be applied to the plunger to depress the same, against spring resistance, to actuate the wheels 28 and, therefore, when such registration is effected, the frisket must be moved out of registration with the plunger so that the force of the cylinder may be used to depress the plunger.

Therefore, the frisket is pivotally mounted as at 24 and actuating means of an automatic nature is provided to oscillate the frisket at the required printing stages, so that the frisket will either cover'the plunger or will be removed from contact therewith.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment of such actuating means, the side legs of the frisket, above the pivotal connections 26, are connected with the forward ends of a wire yoke 25, the transverse connecting leg of this yoke being received in an opening provided in the shank of a Y-shaped actuating lever 21. The lower end of the shank of the lever 2'! is pivotally mounted on a rod 28 carried by the free end of a supporting bar 29, the opposite end of said bar being fulcrumed as at 39 for vertical swinging movement in the side plates of the friskct housing 23.

A wire spring ."II engages with theflat face 32 of the bar 29 contiguous to its pivotal axis, the normal tendency of the spring 3| being to maintain the bar in an elevated position in contact with a stationary stop rod 33 carried by the side walls of the housing 23. Also positioned in the housing 23 is a Ushaped toggle spring 34, the latter being confined between the rear wall of the frisket housing and having its forward free ends pivotally joined as at 35 in offset relation to the pivotal axis 24 of the frisket. The function of 4 the spring 34 is to positively maintain the frisket in its position of registration with the top surface of the printing plunger or in its inactive or lowered position out of registration with the plunger.

Such movement of the frisket between active and inactive positions is effected by providing the diverging arms at the upper end of the lever 27 with lateral extensions or actuating heads 38 and 36a having angled edge surfaces 31, which surfaces upon reciprocation of the bed I I are adapted to be brought into engagement with an angularly positioned fly plate 38 stationarily carried by the lower end. of a rod 259, the upper end of said rod being adjustably positioned in-one of the supporting blocks H of the paper-feeding frame. By this adjustment, the operating registration between the fly plate 33 and the-lever heads 36 and 36a may be readily controlled.

' Operation In the use of this mechanism, when the bed I I is positioned so that the numeral wheels 20 of the number printer are in registration with the inking roll or rolls M, as shown at A in Fig. '7, the frisket will occupy its active position covering the upper end surface of the plunger 2, as indicated in Fig. 3, so that the plunger will not come into contact with the inking roll or rolls and therefore will not receive an ink deposit thereon, such deposit being applied to the upper surface of the frisket and not to the plunger.

When the bed I I has been reciprocated so that the type carried by the chase or form is in printing registration with the cylinder l3, as indicated at B in Fig. '7, the head 36 of the lever 21, during movement of the bed from position A to position B of Fig. 7, contacts the angularly disposed fly plate 38. Such contact causes the operating lever to swing about its fulcrum on the depressi ible bar 29, rocking the lever to the position disclosed in Fig. 4. The head 35 engages the fly plate during this operation, producing the re quired lever oscillation. This rocking movement I; of the lever through the yoke 21 imparts similar rocking movement to the frisket, causing the latter to assume its lowered position out of registration with the plunger 22 and in contact with the stop rod 33, the frisket being held in engagement with the stop rod by the toggle-like action of the spring 34. The frisket, having thus been removed from engagement with the plunger, is then exposed for actuating registration with the cylinder I 3.

As the bed is reciprocated forwardly, the plunger upon registering with the cylinder is depressed by the latter, thereby imparting step by step turning movement to the numbering wheels 29]. This registration, however, of the plunger with the printing cylinder does not result in imparting any ink impression to the paper passed between the chase type and the cylinder I 3, since the plunger has been protected by the frisket and does not contain an ink deposit. In this manner, the paper is concurrent ly printed with required text matter and at the same time the numbering impressions are applied thereto.

Upon the return stroke, with the frisket down, as shown at C in Fig. 7, the elevated head 36a is depressed by the cylinder as permitted by the spring pressed bar 29, so that the head 36a passes under the cylinder without changing the position of the frisket. After being removed from the influence of the cylinder, the head 36a is elevated by the spring 3| and engages the fly plate a which results in swinging the frisket upwardly to its plunger protecting position as at D in Fig. 7, so that the plunger may pass under the inking rolls without receiving a deposit of ink. therefrom.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides improved apparatus for printing consecutive number on successive sheets or Web of paper fed to a printing press of the type having a reciprocating bed and an oscillatory or rotating impression cylinder. The consecutive numbers are printed simultaneously with the printing of text matter, thus dispensing with the usual practice of separately printing the numbers on the sheet after the printin of the text has been completed, thus saving time and reducing the cost of such operations. The frisket and its operating means are strongly constructed and are capable of indefinite use without becoming out of order or necessitating repairs. The operation of the apparatus is entirely automatic and does not in any way reduce the operational speed of presses of the character indicated.

If for any reason, at the outset of a given printing operation, the position of the heads 36 and a should be wrongly positioned for engagement with the fly plate, and the operation of the press started, a safety feature is provided in the resilient mounting for the supporting bar 29, since the latter allows the lever to be resiliently depressed so that the head engaged with the fly plate will pass under the lower edge of said plate without injury to the apparatus.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of my present invention, nevertheless, it will be understood that the same is subject to certain modification or variation in mechanical design without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. The combination with a printing press having a reciprocable form-supporting bed, an impression cylinder and an ink-applying roll, a

consecutive number printer adapted to occupy a type-receiving form positioned on the reciprocable press bed, said printer having a resiliently depressible plunger and a plurality of numeral bearing wheels rotatable in step by step order by the movement of said plunger, the plane of the operating end of said plunger when normally positioned being such as to contact said inking roll, of means automatically operative upon movement of said press bed to prevent the oper ating end of said plunger from directly engaging with said inking roll when the plunger is in registration with the latter and uncovering the operating end of said plunger when the latter is in registration with said operating cylinder, said means employing a housing adapted to be positioned in the type form contiguous to said number printer, a pivotally mounted frisket supported by said housing for movement into and out of registration with the operating end of said plunger during reciprocation of said bed, spring means for positively maintainin said frisket in its active position of registration with said plunger and in its inactive position out of registration with said plunger, pivotally movable motion-imparting devices connected with said frisket, and a stationary contact element supported by said press above said bed, said element being disposed in the path of movement of said devices to efiect frisket-moving actuation thereof.

2. In printing apparatus, the combination with a consecutive number printer of the type having a resiliently depressible operating plunger and a plurality of numeral-bearing wheels actuated in step by step order by said plunger, a housing arranged adiacent to said number printer, a frisket pivotally mounted on said housing movable between active and inactive positions, said frisket when actively positioned being disposed over the operating end of said plunger and when inactively positioned within the confines of said housing and spaced from said plunger, spring means serving to maintain positively said frisket in its active and inactive positions, an operating lever for said frisket mounted for pivotal movement within said housing and having spaced operating heads arranged to project above the top of said housing, and a link connection uniting said lever with said frisket.

3. In printing apparatus, frisket mechanism adapted for insertion in a type form contiguous to a consecutive number printer, said apparatus embodying a housing having an open top. a frisket element pivotally supported by said housing for movement between active and inactive positions, said frisket when actively positioned projecting above said housing to cover the operating end of the actuating plunger of the associated number printer, spring means located in said housing for positively maintaining said frisket element in its active and inactive positions, a supporting bar pivotally mounted at one end within said housing, a stop, spring means tending to turn said supporting bar into a position of engagement with said stop, an operating lever for said frisket element pivotally carried by the free end of said bar, a link uniting said lever with said frisket element, the lever at its upper end terminating in diverging arms adapted to project above said housing, and a head carried by each of said arms at its upper end, each of said heads having angled surfaces adapted for engagement with a stationary deflector when the type form containing the frisket is reciprocated, the engagement of said heads with said deflector serving to oscillate said lever and frisket element.

4. A printers frisket comprising a supporting frame, a frisket element pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement between an elevated active position and a lowered inactive position, a pivoted operating lever mounted in said frame, said lever having a pair of spaced heads engageable with a press-carried stationary member for oscillating said lever, link means uniting said lever with said frisket element, and spring means for positively maintaining said frisket element in its active and inactive positions.

5. A printers frisket comprising a supporting frame, a frisket element pivotally mounted in said frame for swinging movement between an elevated active position and a lowered inactive position, a pivoted operating lever mounted in said frame, said lever having a pair of spaced heads engageable with a press-carried stationary member for oscillating said lever, link means uniting said lever with said frisket element. spring means for positively maintaining said frisket element in its active and inactive positions, and a resiliently yieldable support upon which said operating lever is fulcrumed for rocking movement.

GLEN N. KROUSE. 

